HYDERABAD: Badminton player Jwala Gutta hit out on social media a day after being ignored for the Padma awards saying they are given to those with “recommendation letters”. “I always wondered the concept of applying for particular award which is the most reputed awards in our country... but then that’s what the procedure is.. so I did apply... applied cos it’s prestigious to have the award... cos I thought maybe I made the people of my country proud by my game and deserved it...” Jwala wrote in a Facebook post.
“I have been playing for this country for more than 15 years now.. and have won so many prestigious tournaments.. I thought maybe I should apply.. but I guess it’s never enough.. you need recommendations, recommendations that you deserve an award,” she wrote on her FB page. The doubles specialist said one needs letters of recommendation from influential authorities. “You need to put in a word and get letters and the list goes on and on.. but the question I still have is why do I have to apply for an award and also ask for recommendation,” she said.
Jwala listed out her achievements on the shuttle court. “Aren’t my credentials good enough? Well, I am really curious about the whole system. My two consecutive medals, Delhi CWG gold and Glasgow silver is not enough. My World Championships medal is not enough, I was top 10 ranked in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles and my Superseries performance and medals in Grand Prix gold is not enough..
“I am 15 times NationaI champion and I am also the first Indian (shuttler) to qualify for two events (doubles and mixed) in (single) Olympics in Indian history, I’m the first Indian to win a medal after Prakash Padukone sir in world championships and so many other firsts..,” the 33-year-old wrote. “I have laid path for doubles in Badminton for our country when nobody took it seriously.. but it’s simply isn’t enough.. why cos I am outspoken? Cos I am opinionated? why is it that I am being denied of this particular award? Now I really don’t know should I be asking for this award... or I simply don’t deserve it. if this is not enough what is?,” she vented her ire.
